It was SOLID. It Required a lil heat and a 3/4" Hickory dowel persuaded with a hammer!! So this further lends blame to that barrel being bad somehow.
The New barrel is now installed torqued three times & drying.Gas block carefully checked & centered. Diamond head forend mounted & torqued as well.
I mounted a Simmons a 1" Aetec 4-12x40 matte finish, side focus, scope. In Warne matte high rings with bubble level squared to pic rail of upper receiver. Its as good as I could make it. Shooting this weekend